The Next Afternoon:
"Are you ready?" Keiichiro asked Ryou when he walked downstairs.
"As I'll ever be." Ryou replied.
"Are you going to be ok?" Keiichiro asked, concerned.
"One way or another. Honestly, if these two are mine, I wish I would have known about them sooner. Teen parent or part-time dad be damned. If they're mine, I would have liked to be part of their lives." Ryou agitatedly answered.
"Well, now you'll get the chance to get to know them." Keiichiro replied as they went to the van.
"If that snake of a woman lets me without a fight." Ryou responded, shutting his door.
"Ryou—I hate to say this. But with the nature of Mr. Okunaka's call, I don't think this is going to be a social call. I think you need to go in with the expectations that there's some type of bad news—to Mirin or the children." Keiichiro calmly yet seriously told Ryou.
"Right." Ryou agreed with a sigh.
"It's roughly a fifteen minute trip; why don't you try to relax?" Keiichiro suggested, driving down the street.
"How can I relax at a time like this? This is the exact opposite situation be calm for." Ryou retorted.
"Sorry. I'm just stressed." Ryou apologized, leaning back in his seat.
"I know. But like you said earlier: one way or another, you're going to be ok. Just try to relax at least a little bit for. Freaking out isn't going to do any good for you." Keiichiro calmly spoke to Ryou.
"Right. No promises, but I'll try." Ryou replied, taking a deep breath.
Seventeen Minutes Later:
12:49 PM:
Children's Memorial Mercy Home:
"Ryou, we're here." Keiichiro calmly told Ryou, shaking his shoulder.
"What?" Ryou asked, waking up.
"We're at the children's home where we're supposed to meet Mr. Okunaka." Keiichiro repeated.
"Oh, right. Ok." Ryou replied, stretching before getting out.
"This is kind of big for a children's home." Ryou spoke as they walked up to the large building.
"I was kind of thinking the same thing, but then I sadly remembered how many unwanted or homeless children there were." Keiichiro replied with a sigh.
"Right." Ryou sighed, walking into the building.
"May I help you?" The receptionist politely inquired, stopping Ryou and Keiichiro.
"Umm… Yeah, I have an appointment with a Koji Okunaka at one." Ryou nervously answered.
"Your name, please?" The receptionist kindly requested.
"Shirogane, Ryou." Ryou answered right away.
"Shirogane, Ryou… … Here you are. Mr. Okunaka is up on the third floor. Please take those elevators up, and he will be with you as soon as he can." The receptionist politely instructed with a smile after looking at her computer.
"Thank you." Ryou and Keiichiro thanked the receptionist, heading towards the elevators.
"Breathe, Ryou. Things will all work out how they're supposed to." Keiichiro told a very nervous Ryou as they waited in the elevator.
"It's harder said than done." Ryou replied as they waited for the doors to open.
"Oh, I bet." Keiichiro sighed.
"Here we go." Ryou sighed, getting off the elevator.
"It looks nice up here." Keiichiro insisted, looking around as Ryou paced.
Five Minutes Later:
"Shirogane, Ryou and friend?" A lady called from the far side of the waiting room.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you; I'm Koji's assistant, Sage. How are you today?" The woman calmly asked when Ryou and Keiichiro walked over.
"Uhh… Nervous." Ryou honestly answered.
"Oh, I bet. Does that make you Ryou?" Sage asked Ryou.
"Yeah, I'm Shirogane, Ryou. This is my brother, Keiichiro." Ryou answered, shaking Sage's hand.
"It's nice to meet you. Please follow me this way; you will be in the third room to the left: 3B." Sage led Ryou and Keiichiro to a room.
"Thank you." Ryou and Keiichiro thanked Sage, walking into the room.
"I assume you know why you're here." Sage spoke, closing the door behind them.
"I was told that I was a father to twins." Ryou directly answered, sitting in the chair closest to the table.
"Yes, that's what we have in our notes." Sage replied with a smile.
"How can you be so certain that the twins are mine?" Ryou inquired, looking directly at Sage.
"Other than your name being on their birth certificates?" Sage asked, looking at Ryou.
"Yeah." Ryou replied.
"Without a DNA test, we really can't. However, I will say, just looking at you, I can see a lot of similarities. For instance, they both have your eyes and a lot of your facial features. Still, one can never be too sure, so, Koji has asked for a DNA test. I can do the test right here so that you can see me doing it. That way, you can see that we're not trying to trick you in any way." Sage answered Ryou before informing him, holding up a Q-Tip.
"Yeah, I'd like that." Ryou replied, still on the fence about everything.
"Ok, then. Hold still and open your mouth as wide as you can. Oh, and would you like a second form of DNA proof—meaning a blood sample?" Sage asked, getting a cheek swab from Ryou
"Yes." Ryou answered right away; he wanted as much proof as possible.
"Ok. That will just take me a few minutes." Sage insisted, getting everything ready.
"Are you squeamish at all?" Sage asked, feeling for a vein in Ryou's arm.
"No." Ryou answered.
"Ok. This is going to be tight. … And here comes the poke." Sage warned Ryou, tying the tourniquet before she stuck him with the needle.
Three Minutes Later:
"With new cutting-edge technology and technology from the government, you should have your results within the hour—give or take. So, Koji should be in shortly; he will discuss everything with you and go over your results as soon as they're available. Do you have any other questions for me?" Sage informed Ryou and Keiichiro before asking them.
"Can you tell me where Mirin is—or how I can get a hold of her?" Ryou questioned.
"All I can tell you—all that I know—is that she isn't fit to raise the children—or any children. Legally, you have to get those answers from Koji." Sage apologetically answered Ryou.
"Ok. Thank you." Ryou replied, leaning back in his chair.
"You're welcome. I hope all works out for you and those children. Have a wonderful day." Sage insisted with a smile.
"Ok. Thank you. You have a good day as well." Ryou and Keiichiro replied as she left, leaving them sitting there in silence.
Fifty-Five Minutes Later:
"I thought she said he'd be here in just a little bit." Ryou growled, annoyed.
"Calm down, Ryou; I'm sure they're busy here." Keiichiro tried calming Ryou down.
"I can't calm down! I need to freaking know if these kids are mine or not!" Ryou exclaimed, pissed off.
"Yes, I know, and I can't blame you. But freaking out like this isn't going to make time go by any faster. And she did say that even though it was quicker, it would still take roughly an hour for DNA results to be complete—and I'm sure accurate. There is a possibility that Mr. Okunaka is just waiting on the results before coming to speak with you." Keiichiro told Ryou as calmly as he could, rubbing his shoulders.
"Yes, I know; I'm sorry. This is just frustrating." Ryou apologized, frustrated.
"I can only imagine. Just remember everything happens for a reason." Keiichiro sighed.
"I know." Ryou groaned.
Knock. Knock.
'About time.' "Yeah!" Ryou thought to himself before responding when someone knocked on the door.
"Hello, I'm Koji. You two must be Ryou and Keiichiro." A man with short black hair and brown eyes spoke, entering the room while shutting the door behind him.
"Yes, I'm Ryou and this is my best friend/brother, Keiichiro." Ryou answered as calmly as he could.
"Yes, Sage told me which one of you was which. Not that she actually needed to tell me. But anyway, I have the results of your DNA tests." Koji replied, walking over to his spinning stool and sat down.
"And? What are the results?" Ryou eagerly questioned, watching Koji.
"According to both DNA tests, you are a one-hundred percent match to the twins. Though, just looking at you, I can tell they're yours; they look a lot like you." Koji answered Ryou with a smile, causing Ryou to slide back in his seat.
"Can you tell us what Mirin's plans are?" Keiichiro inquired, looking at Koji.
"Hmmm? What do you mean?" Koji asked, confused.
"With the twins? Is she planning on moving and taking them with her? Or will she let Ryou see them if he wants?" Keiichiro clarified what he wanted to know, looking at Koji.
"Oh, you don't know?" Koji asked, looking at the two men, stunned.
"Know what?" Ryou and Keiichiro asked, confused.
"Mirin's dead." Koji calmly answered.
"What?" Ryou and Keiichiro asked, shocked.
"Yeah. And even if she weren't, there's no way she would have custody of those two." Koji replied, confusing Ryou and Keiichiro even more.
"Why?" Ryou asked right away.
"Well—let's start with how we even got them. A month and a half ago, neighbors called the police because Mirin was blaring music for two days straight, and there was also a horrid stench. The stench, by the way, was Mirin's dead body. She was dead on the couch; she overdosed on a mixture of heroin and methamphetamines with the needle still in her arm. There may have been cocaine as well, but I'm not sure. From what I understand, she was on a laundry list of drugs, but heroin and methamphetamines were the big ones." Koji started explaining.
"Where the hell were the kids?" Ryou asked, becoming pissed off.
"She had locked them in a dark, cold, moldy cellar/closet. For how long, I don't know. All we know, is that the twins were severely malnourished and extremely sick." Koji explained.
"What do you mean sick?" Ryou asked, starting to become agitated.
"Here's a list of what they had." Koji handed Ryou and Keiichiro a list of what the twins had been sick with:
· Walking pneumonia
· UTIs
· The flu
· Severe fevers
· Chicken Pox
· Unknown stomach issues
"What was she doing to them that they became so sick?" Keiichiro asked as Ryou read, re-read, and re-read the list.
"No. The real question is what wasn't she doing for them that they got so sick?" Ryou questioned, annoyed.
"Other than she wasn't caring for them, we're not sure; they don't talk about any of that." Koji answered to the best of his ability.
"What are my twins' names? How old are they?" Ryou asked, deciding then and there to take responsibility of his twins—if he were allowed to.
"Do you really want to know that?" Koji asked, shocked.
"Yes, I want to know that information." Ryou answered.
"You have a son, Raian Shirogane, and a daughter, Momo Shirogane. They just turned two June seventh." Koji answered with a small smile.
"Their birthday is just two days after yours, Ryou." Keiichiro noted, trying to keep Ryou calm. Still, he could tell Ryou wasn't happy right now.
"Yeah. So, she gave them my last name, but she never once told me about them. What the hell? Why the hell not?" Ryou questioned, pissed off.
"I honestly don't know." Koji sighed.
"Were they abused?" Keiichiro asked the question Ryou wanted an answer for but couldn't bring himself to ask.
"*Sigh…* Severely. Right now, they only have bruises left. Most of the bruises have healed, but some are still plainly visible. They also had broken bones that have healed. However…" Koji answered before continuing.
"However?" Ryou pressed, watching Koji.
"Their bones started healing before they could be set properly. Surprisingly enough, they seem fine. Still, there is the possibility of surgery to properly repair the bones in the future." Koji explained.
"What are the twins like?" Ryou inquired, deciding to change the subject before he punched something.
"Well, for a two-year-old, Raian is very brave and very protective of Momo. He is also very talkative—just not about their mother or what happened to them. He doesn't seem to cry a whole lot. He's got a little attitude and temper. And he's smart—very smart for a two-year-old. And Momo… Well, Momo is very shy, quiet, and meek. Unlike her brother, she cries a lot. Also, unlike her brother, she seems to be a little behind most kids her age. But she also doesn't talk, so we can't be a hundred percent sure on her intelligence. Of course, they are only two." Koji answered Ryou.
"Well, Raian must get his smarts from Ryou; he's a genius." Keiichiro insisted with a smile.
"Yes, I seen that." Koji replied with a smile.
"Is that all about Mirin and the kids?" Ryou asked, looking at Koji.
"Pretty much. If you have something specific you'd like to know, all you have to do is ask. Whether I am able to answer you or not is an entirely different story." Koji answered.
"What's going to happen to them?" Ryou seriously asked.
"What do you want to happen to them?" Koji asked just as seriously.
"What do they look like? Can I see them?" Ryou asked quickly.
"Didn't Sage show the pictures?" Koji asked, a little confused.
"No." Ryou answered, frustrated.
"Oh, ok. Hold on." Koji said, digging through a file.
About a minute later, he pulled out three pictures.
"Ok… These two pictures were not easy to get because Momo seems to have PTSD and is very reliant on Raian; she is very clingy to him. But these are the two of them together. Momo has red hair and Raian has brown hair." Koji explained, handing Ryou the pictures.
"Well, they're defiantly your kids, Ryou; they have your eyes. Raian looks a lot like your father, and Momo looks—more like Ichigo with that red hair. Neither of them really look like Mirin." Keiichiro insisted, looking at the pictures.
"No, they don't. So, when can I meet them? Or can I meet them? Do I have to go through the courts?" Ryou questioned, looking from the pictures to Koji.
"You want to meet them?" Koji asked, stunned.
"Why wouldn't I?" Ryou asked, blinking, confused.
"Well, you're only twenty; you would have only been eighteen when they were born. Most teen fathers don't want anything to do with their kids—or at least none that I've met." Koji replied.
"Well, I'm not most teen fathers; I would like to meet them. More importantly, I want them. One: they're mine; they have half of my DNA. Two: I know how the system works; they'll separate them. It's clear that Momo wouldn't be able to handle that. Three: I made a stupid mistake, yes. But those kids shouldn't have to suffer because of that mistake. Honestly, I don't know how much of a mistake it actually was because Mirin seemed to have this planned in great detail. Either way, I will take responsibility and take care of them—both of them." Ryou firmly stood his ground.
Momently shocked, Koji quickly recovered and smiled.
"Ok, I need you to read over these pages and sign everything. Full name on the X's and initials on the x's." Koji explained, handing Ryou the papers.
"Ok." Ryou replied, taking the papers.
Keiichiro would have asked Ryou if he was sure about all this if he didn't know him as well as he did. But he did know Ryou enough to know he didn't need to ask him that. Ryou wanted his kids, and nothing could be said to change his mind. Keiichiro supported Ryou one hundred percent—mainly because of how mature he was being.
After a few minutes, Ryou got all the papers signed, and that was that.
"Fantastic. You're all set. Are you ready to meet them?" Koji asked as Ryou and Keiichiro stood up.
"Yes. And Keiichiro can come with as well, yes?" Ryou answered right away before asking.
"Of course. Well, if you're ready, please follow me." Koji instructed, leading Ryou and Keiichiro out of the room and to a different area.
"I should warn you: due to the abuse they sustained, I don't know how these two will react to you. Please let them come to you at their own pace." Koji informed Ryou as he led them to a new door.
"That's fine; I just want to meet them to start with." Ryou replied, looking from Koji to the door.
"Of course." Koji replied with a smile.
"Oh, Koji, what's going on?" Sage asked when she rounded a corner.
"Ryou wants to meet his twins; he's decided to keep them." Koji answered with a smile.
"Oh, really? That's so great." Sage replied with a fake smile.
"Sage what's going on?" Koji sternly asked.
"Nothing." Sage lied.
"Sage…" Koji spoke, demanding an answer.
"My sister wanted Raian, and a friend from a few cities over wanted Momo." Sage finally admitted.
Ryou wanted to say something but held his tongue.
"Sage, you didn't tell them they could have them already, did you?" Koji questioned, looking at her.
"No…" Sage started.
"But?" Koji asked, folding his arm and tapping his right foot.
"I showed them the pictures. Well, technically, I didn't; they fell out of my folder, and they just happened to see them. My mother is seriously pushing for me to get Raian for my sister." Sage explained.
"Sage, you know better. What were you doing taking their files and pictures home in the first place?" Koji sternly interrogated.
"It was the week I had just gotten back from the hospital, and I was falling behind. Both you, and the boss said I could take some of the files home if I needed." Sage explained.
"Ok. *Sigh…* Didn't your trainer explain to you that you can't take files of kids younger than five home (no exceptions) when you started? That the only files you're allowed to take home, were of children six and older?" Koji inquired, looking at her.
"No. But I should've known that." Sage guiltily answered, looking down.
"It's fine. Who was your trainer?" Koji demanded.
"Fuko, Ayame." Sage answered.
"Ok. *Frustrated sigh…* I'll have to report this to the boss. However, seeing as you're new and this was all a big misunderstanding; I'll make sure he doesn't fire you. But you know you can't take these children to your sister and friend, as they are Ryou's children; he gets his rights—and he doesn't want them separated. You're going to have to tell your family and friends that they can't have Raian or Momo. And hey, at least he's taking responsibility. Now, please. You only have an hour left: why don't you just go home, think about everything, and come back tomorrow for your shift?" Koji firmly told Sage.
"Yes, of course." Sage softly replied, bowing.
"Ryou, I'm so sorry about all of this." Sage apologized to Ryou, bowing to him.
"It's fine." Ryou replied, watching Sage; he felt for her—in a way.
"I'm sorry about her. But also, don't mind her; she's really not a bad person." Koji apologized to Ryou as they watched Sage guiltily enter an elevator.
"I understand." Keiichiro replied.
"It's fine." Ryou anxiously replied.
"Well, anyway, are you ready to meet your children?" Koji asked, grabbing the door handle.
"...Yes…" Ryou answered, taking a deep breath after holding his breath for so long.
"Here we go." Koji opened the door, revealing Raian and Momo.
When they entered the room, they saw Raian and Momo sitting on the floor, playing with some toys:
Raian was playing with some blocks.
Momo quietly sat in a corner, playing with some dolls and a dollhouse.
"You can defiantly tell that they were abused and have PTSD—especially Momo." Koji spoke as they watched Momo.
She had the daddy doll far away from all the other dolls, lying face-down next to a toybox.
The mommy doll was lying on the toy couch.
The boy and girl dolls were locked in a closet.
Raian and Momo had fading bruises on their arms.
Momo had a nice big bruise on her right cheek, and Raian had one on his left cheek; both were fading.
All other bruises were either under their clothes or completely gone.
"Ok, please sit on the couch. Raian, Momo could you please come over here; there are some people I would you to meet. They would like to meet you as well." Koji instructed, getting Raian and Momo's attention.
"Come on, Momo." Raian went over to Momo and got her.
Momo struggled to stand up—even with Raian's help.
"It's ok, Momo." Raian insisted, trying to keep Momo from crying.
"Ryou?" Keiichiro and Koji asked when Ryou stood up.
"You don't have to try to walk if you can't yet; you can crawl if you want." Ryou gently told Momo and Raian, kneeling a few feet away from them. He felt an instant connection with Momo and Raian.
Raian and Momo stared at Ryou, unsure, for a few minutes.
Slowly, Momo started crawling to Ryou with Raian walking next to her.
"Ok…" "Is he our dad?" Raian asked, interrupting Koji as Momo fell onto her side.
"Why would you ask that?" Koji asked, stunned.
"We all look alike; we look more like him than our mom. I'm honestly not sure what we get from her. I used to wonder where we get our hair color from because Mom has orange hair—and now seeing that he has blonde hair. Momo has red hair, and I have brown hair. After seeing him, though, I figured that we have brown and red hair because his blonde hair and Mom's orange hair mixed to make our hair colors. Then I thought to myself: that's not how genetics work at all; we must have a grandparent, aunt, or uncle with brown or red hair." Raian thoroughly explained, looking from Koji to Ryou as Momo quietly sat there.
"I told you he was smart, but I didn't think he was that smart." Koji told Ryou and Keiichiro, flabbergasted.
"Thank you—I think." Raian responded, unsure.
"But anyway, yes, this is your father, Ryou Shirogane. And this is his brother, Keiichiro Akasaka. And Ryou, these are your twins, Raian and Momo." Koji answered Raian before introducing everyone.
"Will you take care of Momo? You'll make sure she's safe?" Raian asked Ryou.
"Yes, I will be taking care of Momo. But I also plan on taking care of you." Ryou told Raian.
"What?" Raian asked, confused.
"Raian, you're both going home with your dad at some point. You and Momo won't be separated." Koji calmly told Raian.
"What about mom; won't she be mad?" Raian questioned, confused.
"Don't worry about your mom; she can't hurt you anymore." Koji insisted.
"Ok. But what about those people who wanted to take us? Miss Sage was arguing with some people who were demanding to see and take us home—to two different homes. They said they were coming for us in a few days." Raian informed Koji.
"Don't worry about any of that. That was just a big misunderstanding that has been taken care of. You and Momo will both be going home with your dad. Ok?" Koji firmly told Raian.
"Yes." Raian answered as Momo watched everything going on around her.
"But I'll let you all be, so that you can kind of get to know each other." Koji told Raian, Momo, Ryou, and Keiichiro, walking to the door.
"So, you'll just be out in the hall, watching us through the two-way mirror?" Raian asked when Koji grabbed the doorknob.
"Correct." Koji replied with a smile.
"Ask him about our kitty ears and tail?" Momo asked Raian using sign language.
"Not now. That Koji guy is watching. If he finds out about all that, he'll want to stick us with more needles." Raian signed back.
"What about Biscuit and Muffin and Cupcake and Orieo and S'mores?" Momo signed again.
"I'll ask in a minute?" Raian signed back.
"You two know sign language?" Ryou and Keiichiro asked, astonished.
"We learned a year ago; it's how we communicate when we don't want mom to hear us." Raian explained.
"You sign?" Momo asked, signing to them.
"Yes." Ryou and Keiichiro signed back.
"How about you speak how you want, and we'll speak out loud." Keiichiro suggested, watching Raian and Momo.
"Ok." Raian replied while Momo stared.
"So, you two like sweets, huh?" Ryou asked, looking at the two.
"No—well, we don't know; we've never been allowed to have snacks before. Momo wants to know where our kittens, Biscuit, Muffin, Cupcake, Orieo and S'mores are…and if we can bring them with." Raian explained.
"You have kittens?" Ryou asked, looking at the two, shocked.
"Y-y-yes. W-we f-founded dem o-outside i-i-in cold rain. Mama weewee w-w-wike kitties an w-w-wet dem stay." Momo very softly spoke with a stutter.
Ryou and Keiichiro quickly figured out that Momo couldn't pronounce "L's" or "R's."
"But they sure didn't like her. Momo must like, trust, or feel safe around you; she normally doesn't talk to anyone except for me." Raian told Ryou, a little shocked.
"Well, that's always good." Keiichiro replied with a smile as Ryou went from sitting on his knees to sitting on his butt.
"So, would you like to come home with us?" Ryou asked Raian and Momo, watching them closely.
Raian and Momo exchanged looks before looking back at Ryou and nodded their head.
"But when would we go home with you? Normally, this stuff takes a long time; I heard the people who work here talking to another family." Raian questioned and explained.
"I'm not sure. But I promise that you will be coming home with me at some point." Ryou promised with a sigh.
"D-do y-you w-w-wiv i-i-in big home w-w-wike M-M-M-Mama? Or w-w-wittle home w-w-wike Maw-Maw an Pa-Pa for day w-w-wen way?" Momo asked, stuttering.
"She means before they passed away." Raian clarified what Momo was asking.
"Currently, I live above a café I own; it's something like an apartment. And soon, you two will live there as well. However, I'm going to start looking for a house, or something else to live in." Ryou explained.
"Will Keiichiro be coming with as well?" Raian inquired, looking at Ryou and Keiichiro.
"If he wants to." Ryou calmly replied before noticing how sad Momo looked.
"Do you want to move with us?" Raian asked, looking at Keiichiro.
"Would you like me to?" Keiichiro asked in return.
"It would be nice, but it would also be up to you." Raian sincerely replied.
Raian and Momo liked Keiichiro just as much as they liked Ryou.
"Momo, what's wrong?" Ryou asked, watching Momo as she sat down.
"Momo?" Raian questioned, sitting next to Momo.
"S-so, n-n-no m-m-mo kitties?" Momo softly asked, trying not to cry.
"I'll talk to Koji and see what I can do. I make no promises, but I will try to get your cats." Ryou gently spoke, watching Momo while Raian rubbed her back.
What happened next shocked everyone: Momo went up to and hugged Ryou, and Raian joined in shortly after.
It was then that Ryou knew he had done the right thing by activating his parental rights of Raian and Momo.
After a few minutes, Ryou got up, walked over to the dollhouse, took the two children dolls out of the house, and placed them next to the daddy doll upstairs. He then put the mommy doll in a bin before finding an extra male doll and set it with them.
"Now, the four of us will be a family." Ryou insisted, walking to the couch with Momo and Raian. He sat with them on his lap until they fell asleep.
"So, what do you think? Do you still wish to keep them?" Koji inquired with a smile; he already knew the answer.
"Yes, of course." Ryou answered without hesitation.
"Do they not know about their mother?" Keiichiro asked, looking at Koji.
"About her being dead? No, they do not. That's not our place; we let the parent(s) or guardian(s) decide what's best with that." Koji answered.
"So, I understand that they had five kittens they called Biscuit, Cupcake, Muffin, Orieo, and S'mores." Ryou inquired, watching Koji.
"Yes, that is true." Koji replied.
"What happened to them?" Ryou asked.
"Well, it was touch and go with them; they were only three or four months old when they came here. So, they're about five or six months now—I think. When they came here, they had a few different problems, but they fought through them all and survived. They had roundworms, tapeworms, diarrhea, dehydration, and worst of them all, distemper. I don't know how, but somehow, they survived all that. Still, they didn't go unaffected by any of it."
"Biscuit is partially blind in left eye and wobbles he walks."
"Muffin is deaf in her right ear, blind in her right eye, and she wobbles when she walks."
"Cupcake lost her front left leg, is blind in her left eye, partially deaf in both ears, she wobbles when she walks, and sometimes she falls over."
"Orieo is cross-eyed and wobbles when he walks."
"S'mores lost her back left leg and wobbles when she walks."
"Other than all that, they're all healthy and will be put up for adoption in about a week. Though, some of my colleagues are worried about Cupcake's chances of being adopted because she has the worst of the side effects; they want to have her put down. Why do you ask?" Koji explained before inquiring.
"Momo was asking about them; she wants them to come home with us. And Raian told us they were their kittens. I told them I made no promises, but I'd ask to take them as well." Ryou explained.
"You'd be willing to take the kittens—all five of them?" Koji questioned, incredibly shocked.
"Yeah, I love cats. And more importantly, it would make Momo and Raian happy." Ryou sincerely insisted.
"Well, ok then; I'll get them for you as well." Koji replied, making a note in his notes.
"The kids and I were wondering just how long it will be before I can take them (and now the cats) home?" Ryou seriously questioned, carefully moving Raian and Momo to the couch before standing up.
"Let me explain something to you: Raian and Momo are yours; that's final. Typically, they wouldn't be able to go home with you today; they need to be prepared and all that good stuff. Not to mention, due to the fact that you just found out about them, I'm sure you have nothing ready for them yet."
"However, there are rare occasions where it would be best that they go home as soon as possible. So, I recommend you take them home today. With that said, you need to get all the things that they need, such as clothes, beds (a crib for Momo), blankets, pillows, car seats, and child safety stuff. Toys and all that stuff can come at a later time. Please note, that I will come by in a week to make sure you have all of the necessary things. I have your address and phone numbers already, seeing as you filled out the papers and such."
"The one concern that many of my colleagues have, is that you live up above a café. However, as long it's safe, you should be fine. I don't know if you plan on moving or not, but if you do, please let me know." Koji seriously informed Ryou, pausing now and then to breathe.
"How long will you be in our lives? I'm not trying to be rude or anything; I'm just curious." Ryou questioned, looking at Koji.
"Well, in standard cases, like when the child or children are babies, it's only a few months. In foster care cases, it's until the child or children turn eighteen or are adopted. In adoption cases, it's usually a year or so. Then, there are cases like yours... When a child/children are between the ages of two and ten and have been severely abused, it depends on the parent. Like I said, I'll be by in a week to make sure you have all the necessary things they'll need. Then after that, a trusted associate of mine will make five more visits—once a month. And if they find you fit, as in safe, trustworthy and all that; there shouldn't be any more visits. If they find that they think there's something suspicious, they will let me know, and from there, I will decide whether or not it's a significant problem. If it isn't, there won't be any more visits, but there will be more visits if there is. Does that answer your question?" Koji asked after explaining everything.
"Yes, perfectly; thank you." Ryou replied, watching Raian and Momo sleeping peacefully on the couch.
'Seeing as they're both my and her kids, I'm sure they'll both have cat DNA in them.' Ryou thought to himself.
"Let's let them sleep a little longer; we can go get the kittens. If you would prefer, Mr. Akasaka can stay here and watch the kids." Koji insisted, watching Ryou and Keiichiro.
"That would make me feel a little better." Ryou replied, looking at Keiichiro.
"I can do that." Keiichiro replied with a smile.
"Ok, we'll be back shortly. Please, follow me." Koji informed Keiichiro before taking Ryou to where they kept the kittens.
"So, this is where we keep the cats and kittens." Koji explained as barking was heard in a neighboring room.
"Dogs as well?" Ryou asked.
"Yes." Koji simply answered.
"Do you have puppies?" Ryou curiously asked.
"Yes." Koji answered.
"Do you have that are good with kids, cats, and people, and that are available for adoption?" Ryou asked.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" Koji asked, confused.
"Could I adopt one or two for protection?" Ryou asked, looking at the room with the dogs and puppies.
"Well, let's get the kittens first, then see where it all goes from there." Koji suggested.
"Sure." Ryou replied, following Koji into the cat/kitten room.
"Biscuit, Cupcake, Muffin, Orieo, and S'mores, correct?" Koji asked, looking at Ryou.
"Yes." Ryou answered.
"Ok. Well, I'll be right back then." Koji replied, disappearing into a back area.
Five Minutes Later:
"Well, here they are, along with all their papers." Koji said, walking out with five disabled kittens in a large plush carrier.
"Thanks." Ryou thanked Koji as he took the kittens.
"Not a problem. Just like we are always happy to have less children in the system, we're also happy to not have as many animals." Koji insisted with a smile.
"Are the kittens from the same litter, do you know?" Ryou asked, looking at the kittens.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. But I can get our cat expert if you'd like." Koji replied, unsure.
"What about me?" An older woman with graying blue hair and dull blue eyes asked, walking over.
"Ryou, this is Hanajima, Nona. Nona, this is Shirogane, Ryou; he's Raian and Momo's father. They're the twins who came in with the five kittens with distemper, worms, and everything else—the miracle kittens." Koji introduced Ryou and the woman and explained what was going on.
"Oh. And you're taking them all home?" Nona questioned, hopeful.
"Yes, my children and their kittens. I honestly want them to have whatever comfort they can have. And yes, right now, we live above the café, but I do plan on looking to move into a house—now." Ryou answered Nona before telling Koji.
"That's so great. What do you need from me?" Nona questioned with a smile.
"Can you tell me if the kittens are from the same litter?" Ryou asked Nona.
"Oh, of course. From the tests that I ran, I discovered that Biscuit and Orieo are brothers, and are six months old. Cupcake and Muffin are sisters, and are five months old. And S'mores and her brother, Chips are four months old." Nona explained.
"Chips? I was only told about Biscuit, Cupcake, Muffin, Orieo, and S'mores." Ryou replied, confused.
"Oh, right. About six or seven months ago, a prominent breeder's two-year-old Persian cat, Mocha, was stolen from their home once the kittens were all sold. They don't overbreed their cats; they breed them and then wait a few months before breeding them again. They also don't mix breed them. But anyway, it didn't take long for Mocha to become pregnant after being catnapped. Her kittens are half Persian and half tabby. The father of the kittens was found rather quickly and has been adopted, and now I have Mocha—because now that she had kittens that weren't fathered by another Persian, her previous owners don't want her."
"Anyway, Mocha had a litter of seven kittens. We got to four of them right away, but Mocha had taken the other three elsewhere. We found Chips and one other after a few days; I honestly thought S'mores was dead. But when she arrived with the other four, and Mocha saw her; I ran tests. I was very surprised, but happy nevertheless." Nona explained, pausing once to take a breath.
"What happened to the other kittens?" Ryou asked.
"I kept one to keep with Mocha, and the rest were adopted. I wanted to keep Chips, but he gets so upset when separated from S'mores. So, I'm glad to run into you now. I understand that you are already taking five other kittens, but would you be willing to take one more? Or would you let me keep S'mores?" Nona answered Ryou before asking him.
"Well, for Momo and Raian's sake, I can't let you keep S'mores; I don't think Momo would be too happy. But if it's ok, I can take Chips as well." Ryou replied, trying to stifle a sigh.
"Thank you. Here you go." Nona thanked Ryou before handing him a cat carrier and some papers.
"Thank you. Umm… Knowing all that, are these six capable having kittens of their own in the future?" Ryou asked, stunned after taking the extra kitten.
"No, they're all spayed and neutered. S'mores and Chips were just fixed last week and are healed." Nona answered with a smile.
"Oh, thank God." Ryou spoke, relieved.
"Are you sure you still want puppies?" Koji asked as Nona went back to her post.
"I would like to at least look." Ryou replied, scratching his head.
"Daddy!" Ryou heard Momo cry before seeing Raian running up to him with Keiichiro carrying Momo, and some lady behind them.
"What's going on? What are you doing here? Is everything ok?" Ryou questioned, concerned when he saw them.
"I'm not sure; this lady just came to get me and the kids." Keiichiro informed Ryou.
"Koji called me and told me to gather your family for you. Good day." The lady explained, bowing before excusing herself.
"What's going on?" Ryou asked Koji this time.
"You said you wanted to know about some puppies that were good with cats, kids, and people. So, I called, and had someone bring Raian, Momo, and Mr. Akasaka up so that we can find some. I mean, if you think about it, the kids and kittens need to be able to get along with the puppies or dogs."
"However, sue to being allergic, I can't go back there with you. But you needn't worry; this is Mr. Akira, and he will be there to show you around and make sure all is safe. Mr. Akira is one of our best dog trainers/caretakers here." Koji calmly explained as a man with short black hair and brown eyes walked over.
"Hello, I'm Mr. Akira." The man politely introduced himself with a smile as Momo held onto Keiichiro.
"Mr. Akira, this is Shirogane, Ryou, and his best friends Akasaka, Keiichiro. You know the children; they are Ryou's. Ryou would like to pick out some puppies that are good with children, cats/kittens, and other people. As you see, he has two children, six kittens, and another person. Mr. Akira, if they find some suitable puppies or dogs, let Mr. Shirogane fill out the papers and take the puppies or dogs today please. It's ok; he's also taking his children and the kittens." Koji explained, getting an excited look from Momo, who leaned towards Ryou.
"What is it?" Ryou asked, trading the kittens for Momo from Keiichiro.
"We get to take Biscuit and Cupcake and Muffin and Orieo, and S'mores home?" Momo asked, signing to Ryou.
"Yes. Plus, another kitten named Chips. As it would turn out, S'mores has another brother, and we're taking him as well." Ryou responded, looking into Momo's big blue eyes.
"And we're leaving this place today?" Raian questioned, looking between Ryou and Koji.
"Yes." Both Koji and Ryou answered at the same time.
"And we're getting a puppy?" Raian asked, trying to hold his excitement back.
"Maybe." Ryou answered, watching Raian.
Momo and Raian were so excited that they hugged Ryou and Keiichiro.
"Wow. I never thought she'd actually be hugging people except for Raian at this point." Mr. Akira spoke, shocked.
"There are a lot of things that are shocking. When it's just the four of them, she physically speaks. But she's still a very shy little girl. And Raian is a lot smarter than I initially thought—but that's beside the point. While you're in there, I'll get the papers for the twins and the kittens filled out; I'll also get the ones for the puppies or dogs started as well. Oh, and before I forget. Before you do leave, they still need their shots. Our nurses and doctors wanted to do that when they arrived, but we can't legally give them their shots without the guardian's consent. Everything else was life or death; we would deal with those consequences later. So, if you'd go get all that situated, that'd be great." Koji replied to Mr. Akira before informing Ryou.
"Yeah, that's fine." Ryou agreed.
"Good; I'll see you later." Koji replied, heading out.
"Ok, the dogs and puppies are all in kennels, so you be will all be just fine. But, if you see a red, orange or black spot on the kennels, don't go near them, as they are not suitable for you. Orange spots mean that those dogs aren't kid friendly. Red spots mean those dogs are not yet friendly with people at all. Then black spots mean those dogs are very sick." Mr. Akira explained.
"You could just tell us the truth: black spots mean that they are so sick that they're going to die. We know what death is; we know everyone and everything is going to die at some point in its natural life." Raian calmly retorted while Momo held onto Ryou.
"You know that, yes; you're a really smart kid. But what about your sister; does she understand?" Mr. Akira asked, looking at Raian.
"Yes, she does. Mother would always say that kind of stuff. But I digress because it bothers her. However, when it comes to stuff like this, we would rather know the truth, than being lied to—or a modified story." Raian calmly responded.
"Ok then... Well noted. How do you want to do this?" Mr. Akira replied and then asked with a smile.
Ryou noticed Momo was still tired as she leaned against his shoulder.
"Do you want up?" Ryou asked Raian.
"I'm fine; I can walk, thank you." Raian calmly insisted.
"Ok, but stay by me or Keiichiro." Ryou firmly instructed.
"Yes." Raian replied.
"To be honest, I didn't think you'd want to bring them in here and get any dogs—or even puppies." Mr. Akira spoke to Ryou as they walked around.
"Why?" Ryou and Raian asked at the same time.
"They were attacked by dogs—weren't you?" Mr. Akira asked Raian after telling Ryou.
"We were. But those were what mom called Rottweilers—and they were trained. You work with dogs, don't you? You should know that any and all dogs—even Chihuahuas can be vicious if trained for it. Did you know that pit bulls have a bad reputation, even though they are some of the best dogs to have around kids?" Raian asked after explaining, looking at Mr. Akira, who looked incredibly shocked.
"Yes, I had heard that." Mr. Akira replied, standing there silently; he was too shocked to say anything else as they looked around.
"I will say I, too, am kind of shocked that you would go and get a dog." Keiichiro calmly spoke to Ryou.
"Well, with two small children and living in a café at the moment, I want them to be protected. I also know dogs are good alarm systems, caretakers, and protectors. And yes, I'm aware having two little kids, six kittens and two puppies or dogs isn't exactly a good mix for a café. Which is why, I'm planning on keeping the café closed until I find a suitable home for us to live in." Ryou explained as he shifted Momo so she could look around easier.
"What are you going to tell the girls?" Keiichiro inquired.
"Same thing I'm going to tell you. My kids are more important and come first." Ryou seriously answered
"I'm really proud of you Ryou; you're being so responsible. Your parents would be so proud of you as well." Keiichiro sincerely told Ryou with a smile.
"Thank you." Ryou replied, smiling as he watched Raian and Momo.
Fifteen Minutes Later:
"I will have these four ready for you for when you get done with their shots." Mr. Akira informed Ryou.
"Ok. Thank you. Come on, you two. We have one more stop here before we can drop the cats and dogs off, go shopping, and then go home for the night." Ryou thanked Mr. Akira before telling Raian and Momo.
Ten Minutes Later:
"All done. Have a good rest of your day, and I'll see you next week." Koji told Ryou, Raian, Momo, and Keiichiro as Raian and Momo slowly calmed down from their shots.
"Thank you. See you in a few days." Ryou replied, holding Raian and Momo. At the same time, Keiichiro held the cat carriers.
"Here are your dogs." Mr. Akira spoke, holding four leashes.
"Thank you." Raian and Ryou thanked Mr. Akira. Momo was shyly leaning against Ryou.
Raian had quickly found a dog he liked: a fifteen-month-old chocolate lab/Siberian husky mix. But he came with a friend: a fifteen-month-old chocolate lab/Australian shepherd mix.
From what they were told, the two dogs came together from a puppy mill breeder in bad condition when they were roughly four months old. They were both adopted several times, but they were returned each time, as nobody wanted to adopt them together. So, Ryou said they could take both, as long as it was ok with whoever Momo picked out.
Raian decided to name them Kumo and Yoshi.
It took Momo a little bit to find who she liked. She ended up picking two seven-month-old, disabled brother and sister mutt puppies. They were both missing a back leg, half of their ears, and half of their tails. They were a mix of golden retriever, Australian shepherd, border collie, and Shiba Inu.
Mr. Akira didn't figure anyone would want them; they were going to be put down tomorrow. He asked Momo several times if she was sure she wanted those puppies; she continuously nodded. As it would turn out, just like the twins, Momo's puppies were severely abused by the one who was supposed to protect them.
Momo decided to name her puppies Piku and Kiki.
Biscuit was a brown, tan, and gray male tabby kitten.
Chips was an orange, brown, black, and white male Persian/calico-tabby kitten.
Cupcake was a black and white female tabby kitten.
Muffin was a pure black female tabby kitten.
Orieo was a dark gray and white male tabby kitten.
S'mores was an orange, brown, black, and white female Persian/torbie kitten.
Koji was kind enough to give them temporary car seats; he would retrieve them when he visited in a week.
"Ok, it's roughly a fifteen-minute drive back to the café, where we'll drop the cats and dogs off. Then we'll head out to get you things you need and maybe some extras. Are you two ready to go shopping?" Ryou explained before asking as he strapped Momo tightly into her borrowed car seat. At the same time, Keiichiro strapped Raian into his borrowed car seat.
Momo didn't reply; she slowly started to fall asleep once she was strapped in.
"We've never been shopping before; we were never allowed out of our closet." Raian answered before Ryou and Keiichiro shut the backdoors after securing the child safety locks.
"Well, today you're going shopping—starting with the things you need. Then we'll get you whatever else you may want." Ryou explained as they got in the front.
Once again, Keiichiro was driving while Ryou sat in the passenger seat.
"So, will our closets at least be warm? And will we be able to have blankets and pillows?" Raian quietly asked.
'Despite how hard he tries to hide it, even Raian has PTSD.' Ryou and Keiichiro sadly thought to themselves.
"Well, from now on, your closets are meant for clothes and other stuff like that. You and your sister will have your own rooms, with beds or cribs that have blankets and pillows. You will also have toys and all the stuff that you could want—whatever it is that you like." Ryou explained to Raian, who had started to become emotional.
Raian didn't know how to react; he didn't know if he should be happy or not, so he just cried. He cried until he passed out; Momo was out as soon as the car started up…